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How will it end?

Will it be the bullpen, the fielding, the injuries, the sluggers’ return to earth – or all of the above?

It takes nothing away from the Dodgers’ hot streak to say that it won’t last. The end could come tonight, or the next day, or next week. But they’ll return to earth.

It’s the nature of the fall that I wonder about, whether it will feel temporary or permanent, shallow or deep.

In 1982, the Dodgers advanced 12 1/2 games in the standings in 13 days, moving from 10 games out to 2 1/2 games up in the National League West, then fell back out of first place, then regained first place, then fell back out again, before Joe Morgan finished their season.

In 2006, Los Angeles went from fifth place to first in 10 days, during an astonishing 17-out-of-18 streak (immediately after losing 13 out of 14), played leapfrog with the Padres day by day and, in the 4+1 game, inning by inning, and finished on top in the division.

In 2008, the Dodgers were five games under .500 on August 29, won eight straight and 12 out of 13, and didn’t look back until the National League Championship Series.

The 2013 season has already put Dodger fans through the ringer. But in a way, it has only just begun.

The reconstruction of the bullpen looks helpful, but there’s an inherent chaos that makes it impossible to trust. The fielding isn’t really any more reliable. You know the injuries will find themselves again. You know Yasiel Puig and Hanley Ramirez will have their slumps. So, for that matter, will Stephen Fife.

The good and the bad of the Dodgers are in an ongoing battle for supremacy. The difference right now, compared to two weeks ago, is that it finally looks like the good can put up a fight.

I’m going to be optimistic here and say that it is just beginning. Sure Puig has to come down to some level of normalcy (although I’m very thankful for his showing). At the same time Matt Kemp has got to come up out of his funk with some gusto.

It seems to me, when you look at the roster of this squad we should expect this level of play. There will be injuries (as we’ve already seen this season) but the normal level of play with a roster like this one should be pennant winning baseball.

Adam Luther

I haven’t been this optimistic a Dodger fan in quite a while. There’s a certain vibe in the Stadium. Fans not wanting to miss a Puig AB. A pitcher hitting 101 on the gun nearly an afterthought. Carlos Marmol pitching in Dodger Stadium (1.13 ERA)…lights out! Crawford’s return. Even Uribe (2-4 yesterday with 2 RBI’s) is having a decent+ season-being more patient at the plate and just now surpassing his PA’s from last season and playing solid defense as well. Fife? Solid. Catchers throwing out would be base stealers. Bouncing back from the worst loss in L.A. history!!!

Dodgers have had more than their share of “the bad” already this season – it’s about time some of “the good” has started coming through – here’s hoping it doesn’t end any time soon.

Anonymous

I for one would like to see a moratorium on all this Puig all-star nonsense. I’ve always had enough of an issue as it is with the All-Star game being an exhibition of guys who’ve had a good first half – I mean, where’s the All Star game for guys who have a great second half? This story is entirely self-generated by the media, with every player in baseball being asked if they think Puig should be on the all-star team, I lament that now you’ve got Puig lobbying for his own inclusion. I just want the kid to keep his head on straight, and I fear all this ain’t helpin’. As Vin said, “this game is not that easy.”

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

the world series

Anonymous

I didn’t see James Loney playing in the 2011 World Series.

(just one example of a guy with the kind of second half that would have been rewarded with the ASG had it been the first half).

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Yea Ok

Anonymous

And I agree with Papelbon (though I don’t see anywhere where he said “not impressed”):

I wrote Puig’s name on the paper ballot at his debut game and stuffed it in the box. He should be on the All-Star as the Dodger representative (Kershaw will be named as well). He’s that good of a player. Unprecedented. Do not have him in the Home Run Derby. I’ve seen too many players swings get messed up or worse – hurt.

http://suburbiauncovered.com/ Matt Powell

Agreed.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

MLB Stat of the Day ‏@MLBStatoftheDay 6m

.@YasielPuig’s 8 homers through his first 27 games are most for any @Dodgers player since 1916.

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

A commenter on another site – I believe it was Hardball Talk – made the point that Puig will reach the All-Star Break with as many plate appearances as an All-Star relief pitcher has batters faced.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

and more than Papelbomb faced before his 1st ASG

Anonymous

Interesting point, though isn’t that apples and oranges? Eric Gagne faced 306 batters and won the Cy Young, which is far less than the number of plate appearances one would need to qualify for a batting title.

Anonymous

Just read Papelbon’s comments thanks to the link twaseverthus provided – and while I agree in essence with what he said – Puig hasn’t put in enough time to warrant selection – If I was the manager of the NL squad and wanted to win the game, I’d want Puig on the team. Oh, and Papelbon once again sounds like a complete A-hole.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

did you read it or listen to it…He called Puig “pig” and it wasn’t an accident in my opinion

Anonymous

Naw I just read it – but doesn’t surprise me one bit – Papelbon is a grade-A, class one douchebag.

He’s a hick, for sure (full disclosure: I too am from Mississippi). Just let the fans vote Puig in as the “final vote” player, and there’s no issue. The fact that this manufactured controversy is getting so much airtime is what gets my goad.

Anonymous

(in response to AaSsWw)

Anonymous

Yeah I agree – and though i haven’t heard it – if puig is indeed lobbying his case to be included in the ASG, that would be the worst development of the whole “controversy”.

On another note – Puig even LOOKS like a young Mondesi in the above picture.

Anonymous

Just take one look at his rather untamed Instagram, on which even his tagline is “Voten por mi para el all star game.” Sigh.

In theory (and filling out the roster every team represented, etc.) wouldn’t the managers want to put whoever has been on a hot streak going into the All-Star game on the roster…in order to win the game and secure home field advantage? Wait a minute-it’s an exhibition. No it’s not because of the home field advantage thing. But players want the time off instead of playing. Puig is the hottest thing going in baseball and Selig should intervene – but that wouldn’t be fair because he (Selig) is a National League guy or was.

Anonymous

Precisely the problem with assigning the game meaning. Instead of an exhibition of the best overall players, both currently and historically, we get a showcase of guys who are hot at the moment. Then again, Puig’s as big of a MLB star as there is – at the moment.

Anyway, the final vote thing will allow Bochy and Selig alike to keep their hands clean.